The Redistricting Game! Name: _

Directions: We will be using following website: http://www.redistrictinggame.org/index.php for playing the game, however, before playing the game, you must read about the redistricting process. Use the class website to click on the hyperlinks.

I. DISCOVER HOW DIFFERENT STATES REDISTRICTà
1. Describe Maryland’s process in making US Congressional districts—what is the role of the legislature and the governor?




2. Explain how Iowa makes US Congressional districts. How does Iowa’s redistricting process differ with Maryland’s process? What constitutional feature allows each state to create their own method for redistricting?




3. What redistricting rule was created by the famous Baker v Carr case?




4. How did the Supreme Court decide how states can/cannot use race as a factor in redistricting in the Shaw v Reno case?




5. Describe the message being portrayed in this political cartoon.




6. Go to this website and type in Northwestern’s Address: 7000 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782. What do you notice about our school’s location? After looking up NHS, plug in your address and write down your Congressional district.




7. Go to this website and view Maryland Congressional District 3. Based upon the redistricting rules we learned, do you think that District 3 is legal? Explain.




8. Why does redistricting matter? Use this website as a guide (choose the reasons you feel matter most)










II. PLAY THE GAME, GO TO THIS LINK:
1) Click on Play the Game

2) Go to Mission 1—click on Learn More
A. Explain the 3 redistricting rules:
(1)
(2)
(3)
B. What happens to the number of representatives for a state if it gains in population?

C. What happens to the number of representatives for a state if it loses population?

D. After completing the Mission, show me your screen

3) Complete Mission 2—I recommend that you do basic

4) Before playing the game, click on Learn More
a. Explain the concept of cracking:
b. Explain the concept of packing:
5) Play the game, choose whatever party you prefer. Write down the party you choose: __


6) Write down your party’s two goals:
1.

2.
7) After completing the Mission, show me your screen

III. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING REFLECTION QUESTIONS IN COMPLETE SENTENCES

1) How did you feel making districts that helped your party and hurt your rival party?





2) What challenges did you face when redistricting?






3) Who should be in charge of making a state’s congressional districts? The legislature? Governor? Some type of Independent group? Somebody else? Explain.